This craft originated in Holland and traditionally the insides of security envelopes were used to create the iris (so named because it resembles the iris of the eye or a camera).

I love using the security envelopes since they are an art supply that arrives free to my front door almost everyday - what's not to like about that? But, a number of papers of similar weight can be used.

student work - iris folding workshop

The student above used a mix of wrapping paper, sheet music and paint chip cards. Below the student also used sheet music along with book pages and maps.

student work - iris folding workshop

I love how the use of a solid color (below) amongst the busy patterns really accentuates the curve of the iris pattern:

student work - iris folding workshop

Although security envelopes are my favorite material for this project I love to experiment and see what else I can find at SCRAP that might work:

I played along, too! Another class sample finished.

I found a box of coin wrappers that already had folded edges - they worked great (above)!

The finished product can be a card, an ornament or a piece ready for framing to hang on the wall.